Pakistani tourists and expats are a problem for the Gulf countries

Beggars from Pakistan have become the talk of the town after Saudi Arabia asked Islamabad to restrict their flow into the country using pilgrimages as a cover. This has put a major dent in Pakistan’s reputation worldwide, especially in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia warned Islamabad against imposing restrictions on Umrah and Haj pilgrims if action was not taken against beggars.(1)

The beggars from Pakistan disguised themselves as tourists to visit Gulf countries including the UAE, Iran, Turkey and Oman. It is striking that approximately 90 percent of beggars arrested in the Middle East come from Pakistan. Zulfikar Haider, a secretary-level official, accepted the fact that beggars from Pakistan had become a reputational problem for Pakistanis working in the Middle East, tarnishing the country’s image.(2)

Zarsha Naveed, a Pakistani national working in Jeddah, said the Saudi government’s warning denigrates Pakistan’s image and the credibility of foreign professionals. “This alarming situation not only damages Pakistan’s international reputation but also affects the dignity of all Pakistanis who work hard to contribute positively to society,” she said.

Beggars from Pakistan have become a problem for almost every Gulf country. The relaxed norms for pilgrim visas and the Islamabad government’s lax monitoring are largely responsible, says Rasul Bakhsh Rais, an author and professor of political science from Lahore. “For months, senior diplomats from several Gulf countries have emphasized that their prisons are overcrowded with Pakistani beggars and have pressured the Pakistani government to do something about this bizarre phenomenon,” he said.

Gulf countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait have expressed concern over organized gangs of Pakistani beggars entering these countries as pilgrims. (5) The beggars of Pakistan are engaged in criminal activities, many of which are heinous. This has caused the Middle East to stop hiring Pakistani workers. About half of crimes in the UAE involve Pakistani nationals.(6)

Four Pakistanis were recently arrested for transporting weapons from Iran to Yemen.(7) “Pakistanis have a bad international reputation. The magnitude of this problem is not limited to workers working abroad but also to workers,” said Karachi-based journalist Noman Hossain.(8) Recently, the UAE Consul General expressed concern over Pakistanis working in the UAE living and spreading negative propaganda on social media.(9)

In addition, the behavior of overseas Pakistanis, especially in terms of work ethics and attitudes, has created discomfort among Gulf countries, acknowledged Dr. Arshad Mahmood, Minister of Overseas Pakistanis.(10) Qatar and Kuwait complained of a lack of professionalism, while the UAE observed inappropriate behavior of Pakistani workers, especially towards women.(11)

Pakistani expats are often blamed for interfering in internal affairs or disrupting social harmony in the Gulf. “Pakistani expats sometimes exhibit a different mentality – one that involves laying claim to the Gulf states’ resources,” says Saudi Arabia-based writer Zahack Tanvir. “This trend has not gone unnoticed and there are concerns that it could potentially lead to problems in host countries.”(12)

The Gulf countries play a major role in Pakistan’s economy thanks to remittances from the foreign workforce, which have assumed greater significance against the backdrop of the country’s deteriorating financial condition. Thus, the growing reservations about Pakistani expats are likely to have serious consequences and even lead to economic instability.

The consequences are dire, according to Pakistan’s leading newspaper The Express Tribune. “Reports of misconduct and the presence of organized begging rings have tarnished the reputation of Pakistani workers. Remittances from foreign workers, a lifeline for many Pakistani families and a vital part of the national economy, are at risk,” the editorial said.(13) By 2022, more than 750,000 Pakistanis had left the country to seek work abroad, especially in the Gulf.(14)

While the Islamabad government’s actions to prevent the flow of beggars and criminal groups into the Gulf states remained lax and hazy, it has warned its citizens to behave decently. Remittance is a key. “I reiterate our request to Pakistani nationals, wherever they are, to respect local laws and local customs so that life for all Pakistanis in those countries remains normal and these individuals can continue to enjoy their stay in these countries,” he said. the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch.(15)

Sources:

(1) https://dailyausaf.com/en/pakistan/saudi-arabia-cautions-pakistan-on-beggars-using-umrah-visas/

(2) https://tribune.com.pk/story/2438090/pakistani-beggars-plague-middle-east-raising-trust-concerns

(3) https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1235146-reputational-damage

(4) https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2568970

(5) https://www.dawn.com/news/1849093#:~:text=Most%20of%20these%20people%20visit%20Saudi%20Arabia%20on%20Umrah%20visas%20and%20Saudi%20authorities%20have% 20reported%20that%2090%20per%20cent%20of%20all%20beggars%20arrested%20in%20the%20country%2C%20%20werePakistanis.

(6) https://www.dawn.com/news/1849093#:~:text=Most%20of%20these%20people%20visit%20Saudi%20Arabia%20on%20Umrah%20visas%20and%20Saudi%20authorities%20have% 20reported%20that%2090%20per%20cent%20of%20all%20beggars%20arrested%20in%20the%20country%2C%20%20werePakistanis.

(7) https://tribune.com.pk/story/2458080/pakistan-rejects-foreign-poll-probe-demand

(8) https://www.khaama.com/uae-warns-pakistani-nationals-against-negative-propaganda-on-social-media/

(9) https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1215483-uae-envoy-warns-pakistanis-against-negative-propaganda

(10) https://tribune.com.pk/story/2498376/pakistani-beggars-in-saudi-could-disrupt-hajj-umrah-pilgrims-ksa-warns

(11) https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/gulf-nations-concerned-over-behaviour-of-pakistani-nationals-living-there-2574167-2024-07-31

(12) https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/why-arab-countries-seem-to-be-ignoring-pakistan-in-recent-years-13169612.html

(13) https://tribune.com.pk/story/2484825/dented-reputation

(14) https://tribune.com.pk/story/2390704/countrys-brain-drain-situation-accelerated-in-2022

(15) https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2560666/pakistan

INDEMNIFICATION:

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of The Khaama Press News Agency. We welcome opinions and submissions to Khaama Press Opinions/Exclusives – Email them to [email protected].